Halloween Haunt

[standbyme]

Since we have been told several times that the park DOES read this message board I think this would be a good opportunity to let them know our actual thoughts…whatever they may be.

My family has ALWAYS treated Halloween & Fearfest as a family event. There have always been certain things at Fearfest that we have not felt were appropriate for children, but those events we simply skipped…and we still had a great FAMILY time. Last year we took turns rotating watching the youngest children while someone else did a haunt. At one point I rode the Carousel over and over with our smallest one while the others did some of the haunts, it was a very nice time. (This year that was not even an option.)

I am both disgusted and amazed that a park that prides itself on being a family park all through the spring/summer season finds it acceptable to just “shut out” a big percentage of it’s loyal customer base to one of it‘s special events. There is a big age gap of customers being ignored who are too old for Nick-Or-Treat yet to young for Halloween Haunt…which then in turn affects the entire family that has a child in that age bracket. Is that any way to treat the “demographic” that I believe is their main support throughout the season?

This year I did not see TOO many things that were much worse than anything last year VISUALLY…although there did seem to be a few things that shouldn’t have been on display during the daytime when children were in the park, BUT there was language that I never thought I would hear a Kings Island employee utter. (2 examples that I heard were a scaracter calling someone a b*stard, and another one asking a girl “If her carpet matched her rug.”) Normally a park guest is not supposed to use foul language and CAN be ejected from the park…which I am all for, but I guess if Kings Island slaps up a for “Mature Audiences Only” sign even their own employees can sink to a level of behavior that the park would usually not deem acceptable from even a GUEST. I do not see how having mature language and excessive gore makes for a better/scarier haunt.

And as a note to the park, for certain members of my family our Season Pass buying (Even if Halloween Haunt is an up-charge next year) IS influenced by whether they can attend Fearfest/Halloween Haunt. I hope the park comes to realize that this event can be made so that it is both scary & fun for anyone 10 (maybe 11) & up.

P.S. Try to only make “constructive” criticisms so that this thread stays open.

P.P.S. I hope the park does some "real" surveys to get the "normal" park-go'ers opinions on Halloween Haunt.

[Dane]

The park does do "real" surveys everynight of HH. You can see them or even take one by walking up to any of the guest relations people holding clipboards with lights attached to them.

[shelley]

Since we have been told several times that the park DOES read this message board I think this would be a good opportunity to let them know our actual thoughts…whatever they may be.

My family has ALWAYS treated Halloween & Fearfest as a family event. There have always been certain things at Fearfest that we have not felt were appropriate for children, but those events we simply skipped…and we still had a great FAMILY time. Last year we took turns rotating watching the youngest children while someone else did a haunt. At one point I rode the Carousel over and over with our smallest one while the others did some of the haunts, it was a very nice time. (This year that was not even an option.)

I am both disgusted and amazed that a park that prides itself on being a family park all through the spring/summer season finds it acceptable to just “shut out” a big percentage of it’s loyal customer base to one of it‘s special events. There is a big age gap of customers being ignored who are too old for Nick-Or-Treat yet to young for Halloween Haunt…which then in turn affects the entire family that has a child in that age bracket. Is that any way to treat the “demographic” that I believe is their main support throughout the season?

This year I did not see TOO many things that were much worse than anything last year VISUALLY…although there did seem to be a few things that shouldn’t have been on display during the daytime when children were in the park, BUT there was language that I never thought I would hear a Kings Island employee utter. (2 examples that I heard were a scaracter calling someone a b*stard, and another one asking a girl “If her carpet matched her rug.”) Normally a park guest is not supposed to use foul language and CAN be ejected from the park…which I am all for, but I guess if Kings Island slaps up a for “Mature Audiences Only” sign even their own employees can sink to a level of behavior that the park would usually not deem acceptable from even a GUEST. I do not see how having mature language and excessive gore makes for a better/scarier haunt.

And as a note to the park, for certain members of my family our Season Pass buying (Even if Halloween Haunt is an up-charge next year) IS influenced by whether they can attend Fearfest/Halloween Haunt. I hope the park comes to realize that this event can be made so that it is both scary & fun for anyone 10 (maybe 11) & up.

P.S. Try to only make “constructive” criticisms so that this thread stays open.

P.P.S. I hope the park does some "real" surveys to get the "normal" park-go'ers opinions on Halloween Haunt.

DOES ANYONE THINK Halloween Haunt IS SUITABLE FOR 13 YEAR OLDS! I'M GETTING MIXED REVIEWS AND MY PLAN IS TO TAKE THEM THIS FRIDAY THE 12TH. FEEDBACK WOULD BE APPREICATED!! THANK YOU!!

[Gordon Bombay]

Shelly, check your PM inbox, i sent you a message in regards to your question that will hopefully help. Also, theres no reason to type in all caps

Check out the front page article where you can see photographs and video from the event that may offer you a taste of what you will encounter at Halloween Haunt.

[standbyme]

DOES ANYONE THINK Halloween Haunt IS SUITABLE FOR 13 YEAR OLDS! I'M GETTING MIXED REVIEWS AND MY PLAN IS TO TAKE THEM THIS FRIDAY THE 12TH. FEEDBACK WOULD BE APPREICATED!! THANK YOU!!

I personally think that almost all 13 year olds wouldn't bat an eye at 99% of the things they will see...but the park is really going out of their way to make sure that you know that THEY think it is explicit...and making you feel like a failed parent if you even take anyone younger in just to look around at the fog & decorations.

[Tomkatt7]

At 13, most kids say and do things that would make their parents blush...

Now, I said MOST kids, not YOUR kids, so don't start screaming at me.

Point is, if they go to school, they hear much much worse than what they'll hear and see at HH

I have an 11 year old. I would take her, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be in a fight if someone asked her about carpet matching the drapes. You could count on a shot in the chops for that!!! LOL

But to just hear it, from employees, to one another, as part of the "show". It wouldn't bother me at all.

You just need to use your own judgement, everyone is different. Some are more easily offended than others. But. I don't think Halloween is about being polite and proper, it's supposed to be a little bit evil and sinister, isn't it?

[Dvo]

DOES ANYONE THINK Halloween Haunt IS SUITABLE FOR 13 YEAR OLDS! I'M GETTING MIXED REVIEWS AND MY PLAN IS TO TAKE THEM THIS FRIDAY THE 12TH. FEEDBACK WOULD BE APPREICATED!! THANK YOU!!

First of all, calm down.

Now that that's settled... I think that most 13 year olds would be ok with it. I actually expected it to be a lot worse than it was. I voted that it should become a 17 and up event. Maybe I'm being selfish, but for me, haunted houses should be TERRIFYING

[shelley]

Thanks for your reply. I think I might attempt to take her and just keep my eyes and ears open as always! Thanks again!

At 13, most kids say and do things that would make their parents blush...

Now, I said MOST kids, not YOUR kids, so don't start screaming at me.

Point is, if they go to school, they hear much much worse than what they'll hear and see at HH

I have an 11 year old. I would take her, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be in a fight if someone asked her about carpet matching the drapes. You could count on a shot in the chops for that!!! LOL

But to just hear it, from employees, to one another, as part of the "show". It wouldn't bother me at all.

You just need to use your own judgement, everyone is different. Some are more easily offended than others. But. I don't think Halloween is about being polite and proper, it's supposed to be a little bit evil and sinister, isn't it?

[shelley]

Ok, I'm calm....thanks for that!! I think I might go ahead and take them and just keep my eyes and ears open as always. Thanks for your reply, it is greatly appreciated!

DOES ANYONE THINK Halloween Haunt IS SUITABLE FOR 13 YEAR OLDS! I'M GETTING MIXED REVIEWS AND MY PLAN IS TO TAKE THEM THIS FRIDAY THE 12TH. FEEDBACK WOULD BE APPREICATED!! THANK YOU!!

First of all, calm down.

Now that that's settled... I think that most 13 year olds would be ok with it. I actually expected it to be a lot worse than it was. I voted that it should become a 17 and up event. Maybe I'm being selfish, but for me, haunted houses should be TERRIFYING

[Tomkatt7]

Thanks for your reply. I think I might attempt to take her and just keep my eyes and ears open as always! Thanks again!

At 13, most kids say and do things that would make their parents blush...

Now, I said MOST kids, not YOUR kids, so don't start screaming at me.

Point is, if they go to school, they hear much much worse than what they'll hear and see at HH

I have an 11 year old. I would take her, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be in a fight if someone asked her about carpet matching the drapes. You could count on a shot in the chops for that!!! LOL

But to just hear it, from employees, to one another, as part of the "show". It wouldn't bother me at all.

You just need to use your own judgement, everyone is different. Some are more easily offended than others. But. I don't think Halloween is about being polite and proper, it's supposed to be a little bit evil and sinister, isn't it?

You're welcome...Have fun!

[BoddaH1994]

I guess when you come back you can tell us whether you think it was necessary to promote the fact that it's for mature audiences.

[kjkjkj]

how about 14/15 and up, that would be way better lol

[WHODEY2007]

I don't think i would put an age limit on it. As a parent, you should know what your child can and can't handle and also what you want them to handle.

I have seen younger children do fine so far at Halloween Haunt and I also have seen a few not make it past International Street before hiding in The Emporium and have to have Park Police come and take them to the front because they were too scared to come out of the lighted store (true story).

If the haunts are a little too extreme for the kids, think of it this way.... You don't have to go into the Haunts if you don't want to. You can ride the rides all night. Yes there may be some monsters running around the areas, but they can be avoidable.

[BoddaH1994]

I don't think i would put an age limit on it. As a parent, you should know what your child can and can't handle and also what you want them to handle.

I agree with you entirely. However, I also think that parents should know what they're getting into before making a decision like that.

[flightoffear1996]

I think the park should allow only 16 year olds and up at all times!!! All the little teens do is vandelize the park half the time nad most of them have season passes and dont spend a dime in the park. It looks that way at the park to me anyway.

[The Interpreter]

Assuming that happened (and parks have tried it), what do you do when the little nippers come in with their parents, who promptly go sit on a bench (or even leave) and then the nippers have the run of the park?

(One park wouldn't let ANYONE under 21 in unless escorted by an older adult....including a soldier just back from Iraq. Talk about bad press...old enough to fight for your country but not old enough to go to an amusement park unaccompanied?)

Isn't going to happen.

Besides, all of us were young once...though I was NEVER allowed in a park by myself or with others my age until I was old enough to drive! Honest.

Times were very, very different.

[kjkjkj]

I think the park should allow only 16 year olds and up at all times!!! All the little teens do is vandelize the park half the time nad most of them have season passes and dont spend a dime in the park. It looks that way at the park to me anyway.

I think that that is very stereotypical, and senseless thing to say. I'm 14 turning 15 and I don't vandalize things. Just because teens are under the age of 16, doesn't mean they won't get hungry or thirsty while being terrified, so they would spend money. Me and about 7 other friends went to Kings Island this summer by ourselves, and we were mature enough to go ride rides all by ourselves!! So my point is, in the end CF would lose money, because when teens go, teens bring friends, and most of the time those friends don't have season passes so they'll all pay to get in, and some/most "younger" teens would be able to handle this event by themselves.

[Tassels]

When I was younger, the park was my babysitter.. Mom would drop us off. Cause the park was safe in there. We where with out older brother or just the 3of us... I was the oldest

Parents let children play violent video games now n days. Taking down on what scares some children. You work in the part of entertainement I did (w/characters) and you can come up with some twisted stuff that would scare the living day light out of children (if you where ever backstage you know what im taking about)

But the parents are the ones who have the ENTIRE judgement over their children.

My manager has a 3year old son who is tuff as nails when it comes to monsters..

but Spongebob/Blue he was scared to DEATH of.. because they where smaller on TV.. And bigger in real life (let alone when he KNEW they where fake and its a girl who babysits him inside)

If their children are mature enough to handle it.. Then let them enjoy it..

But read up on it before you send them into the park. Show the little ones pictures from years before and see how they handle it.

Let them watch a scary movie with the lights on.. and see how they react to it on TV first before real life...

I dont have kids. my mom ran an inhome daycare center at home. They played Mario Brothers/Trolls on The NES the violent video games where hidden. Toy "egg beaters" where monster chasers...

But dont expect the 'scharacters NOT to do their jobs because they're youngsters. If they scream MOST of the time we'll back off... Or hold their hand out and let them give them a high five. Managers will walk through (red beards) and hold their hands if they're hardcore frightened and go "look at the nice pirates" (which in the house I WAS in meant after me go ahead)

And thats my 2cents

In other words

Read Up about the park before you go......

Show Them Pictures Of Past Years

Put In something "Mildly" scary see what they can handle.. (ghostbusters perhaps)

Now Im shutting up!

[RingMaster]

This post I'm putting up is, in no way, directed toward standbyme:

These parents that are complaining about the direction the park took for this year's event are beginning to annoy me.

Only because these are the same exact parents that, several years ago, were complaining about FearFest and its attractions. There wasn't even anything mature or adult-oriented about the 'Fest in previous years that resembled what Club Blood or Dead Awakening is now.

I can recall the event had been severely dumbed down to accommodate the families and make it a "family event", such as opening up attractions at 3:00 in the afternoon, and having generic-themed attractions (the standard haunted house, wooded trail, clown maze, and actual 'maze') within the park. And these same parents had kept complaining about the little ones getting too scared, hiding them away from, or pushing/shoving/knocking scareactors out of the way, just so we were 'aware' that we couldn't scare them.

The situation had, not surprisingly, gotten worse in 2005, when both cornSTALKERS and and an early worksite (dubbed the Gauntlet) debuted as walk-through fear zones, attractions where you could just waltz right through w/o waiting in a line. Families were clueless about these two attractions and were blindsided by armies of scarecrows, maniacs, and chainsaws outside of the mazes an into the regular park.

Hence, the reason why now the fear zones have lines attached to them is because of too many complaints from families, again.

....so, back to the present....

Really, there should be NO reason for families to begin complaining now about the upgrade, and they have been warned more than enough about it (although the newscasts don't do it enough justice). You've had three full months of time to go to the park when the kids were out of school. You have your own Halloween event for the little ones, complete with mazes just for them and all sorts of Trick-or-Treat-y goodness in the daytime. Don't even begin to get upset if/when the little ones get too frightened and pretend you were 'unaware' of the warnings that were given to you.

Like Tassels and a few others said, show your kids pictures of what goes on during the Haunt BEFOREHAND, to see if they can handle it. If they can, great. If not, DON'T BRING THEM.

[Karen]

Ringmaster and tassels - thank you thank you thank you!!!

I am sick to death of people doing this. It is one of my major pet peeves. 13 year olds can handle this - I have a five year old grandson that - so far - NOTHING has bothered him!! My seven year old grandson was scared a little by death row but went through again and was FINE. These two can take anything but not all children can. YOU are the parents - YOU decide which is good and which is not. As for the younger ones - try Burger Farms as well as Nick Or Treat. There are lots of things geared toward the younger generation.

I understand how you want the park to be family oriented all year - but they are Family Oriented in the DAY TIME. At night it is OUR TIME please do not take that away from us. Tassels and Ringmaster have both had a blast scaring me and many others. This is fun for those scare actors - let them have their fun. How many of you would not jump at the chance to have a job you had a blast doing!! So many have told me that they get paid to have a great time scaring people!!

As for those 11 - 12 year olds. I have yet to see anything in the park that you can not get on REGULAR TV. Not cable TV but regular. What you do is go with your children. Sensor this yourself and not force censorship on others. We have enough freedom's taken away from us now.

I am like you and avoided places that I felt were too intense for my children. I censored their viewing and everything in their life that I felt needed to be. That is all part of being a good parent and caring for your children. But you know what? Not all children are the same and should not be considered that way. I am against making it for the over 17 crowd because I have seen younger children handling this stuff better than I do!!

Please put Halloween Haunt in the real way it is intended - you go there to be scared - the scare actors take those jobs because they love to scare you and are very very good at it. Just go, have fun, scream when they jump out at you and then move on. If you feel your children can not take it - ok ask yourself this - Kings Island has rollercoasters that they do not allow children on - should this be removed because on that ride it does give you a warning that it is too intense for younger riders or that riders have to be soo big to ride it. Well my five year old grandson cries because he wants so badly to ride it but is just a tiny bit too short to safely ride it. What is the difference on this?

Do you think rollarcoasters are age appropriate for younger children? This is a family fun place. Should they remove them so that everything in the park is geared for the entire family? It is the same with Halloween Haunt - they have Nick or Treat for FAMILIES to enjoy - all the park rides are still open for the older generation and if I remember correctly there is a certain age that kids think they are "too old" or "too mature" for kid stuff like halloween trick or treat - let them go to the rides in the rest of the park.

Family park signifies that there is something for everyone in the family to do. Well do not forget or ignore the older generation - we would like to have fun that is geared toward our age level too. Well in my case I refuse to grow but we won't go there he he.

Just relax - you do what makes you happy, let others do what makes them happy and agree to disagree and coexist peacefully. You go when there are things you like, we go when there are things we like and everyone gets what they want!! That is what Haunt is all about. Go, scream, laugh, and have fun.

To those scareactors that have had me screaming so far - excellent work!!! Keep it up!!! Scare me to your hearts content and have fun with it.

As for the Language - I would have to hear that to believe it I am sorry. Kings Island will not allow that kind of vocalization. Scaring yes but vulgar can and does get them fired so if this happened - please go to anyone in the yellow jackets/shirts as they are security / managers and report them if you feel strongly about it. If someone said something like that to me - yes I would first tell them it was inappropriate and then if it continues on then yes I would definately seek out a manager. Scare me yes but talk disrespectfully to me - NO.

[The Interpreter]

There is much wisdom in what you post, but DO understand that the size limitations on roller coasters are a matter of physics and the law. One must be a certain size to be adequately and appropriately restrained. This is particularly true given the litigious nature of today's US society. In the days of olde, many roller coasters had NO size restrictions. Times were different, even though the rules of physics were not.

[Monroe]

I remember the days when the 3 of us could ride in one seat, don't you?

http://www.rcdb.com/ig522.htm?picture=14

[The Interpreter]

Yes, I do.

And little (in physique) kids can ride three per seat to this day on the Camden Park Big Dipper. No seat dividers (or seat belts) on that cushy, wonderful NAD train.

[Skywriter]

I have gone ever since I was 13 I have not got really that scared until this year I jumped a total of 10 times this year.

[Karen]

My mentioning the kids that can not ride the rollercoasters was just meant to prove a point - no they should not ride those rides until they are tall enough for those safety reasons. Just sick of these people that keep saying it is not "family oriented" Well Halloween Haunt is not for everyone no matter the age. There are people out there than are afriad of their own shadow, ok Halloween Haunt is not going to be for them. That is not an age generated fear.

My intention was to state basically there are things in the kiddie section we can not ride and there are things in the other parts of the park the kids can not ride so therefore not all attractions should be EVERYONE oritented. Keep the kids in the kid zone for their age appropriate things to do but for the rest and those younger ones that can take the intense scares - hey have a blast!

In other words - Halloween Haunt is for people that want to be scared - no matter the age. If your child does not like gore or being afraid - well there are other age levels that can not take the scares of Halloween Haunt either.

You know your children and you know what they can take. Do the research, follow your heart BUT do not force your decisions for your children on anyone else.

[GrimReaper]

I think if they can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen, I have seen some kids act in mature ways and some act in immature ways, you just have to know your kid , and how they'll react, if they don't like it don't come back like people said before. Hire a babysitter. Kings Island is opened from 10-7 on Saturdays and all day Sunday for younger kids.

[The Interpreter]

Actually the park does NOT open on Saturdays until noon now (yet another family friendly move). And Nick closes early for the Haunt. It's clear where the park's priorities lie, and it is not with families this year.

That's okay, as long as its customers understand that (and are okay with that come next year, when they plan their visits to theme parks, if any).

[hauntguy]

I think families understand that HAUNT is not your "run-of-the-mill" event at KI, and KNOW that KI is a great family destination during non-HAUNT operating days! I don't think anyone will NOT come back to KI just because of HAUNT. People aren't stupid.... they don't see HAUNT and say "KI must be like that ALL year!"... NO!

Also, since HAUNT is upcharge next... you will see more control of the people allowed to attend! This is nothing new, Knott's had this problem... CP had this problem... even Universal had this problem!

Heck.. Disney had this problem with Alien Encounter! -Hauntguy

[WHODEY2007]

I like how Halloween Haunt is this year. You can see things on basic television that are far more crazy than what's going on at the park. If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to go.

Plus, you can always go on Sunday to not get scared and ride the rides and take the kids in their halloween outfits so they can do some trick or treating.

[coastergirl]

I think families understand that HAUNT is not your "run-of-the-mill" event at KI, and KNOW that KI is a great family destination during non-HAUNT operating days! I don't think anyone will NOT come back to KI just because of HAUNT. People aren't stupid.... they don't see HAUNT and say "KI must be like that ALL year!"... NO!

I'm not too sure about that. I think that people may be thinking that this is the way that KI may be heading and this is just the first stage of change. You have even said in other posts that this is the first stage of HH, so if this is its first stage, what is the first stage in change for the rest of the park?

I have been going to KI my entire life. My family and I still debating on buying passes next year and if we do, I think that we will make CP our home park and not KI. We will still visit, but I really don't think that we will be there as much as we were last year. It's fine if the park wants to go in this direction, but maybe the "families" that KI used to have will head up north and have a family friendly time there instead.